What is a bindi and what is its significance in Indian culture?

Question

My husband was watching a documentery about some workers in India. They had a very dangerous job (breaking up ships). One husband told his wife not to wear her bindi during the day only at night when she saw that he got home alive. It left me wondering what a bindi was and what it signifies. Anybody from that culture here that knows the answer? Appretiate your help!

Answer 1

Bindi

A bindi is an auspicious mark worn by young girls and women. Bindi is derived from bindu, the Sanskrit word for dot. It is usually a red dot made with vermilion powder which is worn by women between their eyebrows on their forehead. Considered a symbol of Goddess Parvati, a bindi signifies female energy and is believed to protect women and their husbands. Traditionally a symbol of marriage, it has also become decorative and is worn today by unmarried girls and women as well. No longer restricted in colour or shape, bindis are seen in many bright colours and in different shapes and designs. They are also made of coloured felt and embellished with coloured glass or glitter.

As with most cultural adaptations, it is now just seen as fashionable. Many people find the look attractive. Just another piece to adorn herself with...

Answer 2

Bindi is a small dot, which in Indian culture is used by the women. The ladies put it on their forehead. it looks like a small coloured spot on the forehead. It has different significance in India, Because of a lot of diversity in the indian culture. But in Hindu religion it signifies that a lady putting up a bindi is married and her husband is still alive. A lady who does not wears a bindi is probably divorced, unmarried or widdow. But nowadays even in India bindi is used a way to be fashionable. The bindi is made up of a red powdered stuff called SINDOOR.

Answer 3

Bindis are dots traditionally worn by women in India to decorate their faces. Bindi is arguably the most visually fascinating in all form of body decoration. Hindus wear a tilak (a red dot by women and an elongated dot by men) on their foreheads, between the two eyes. This point is known by various names such as Ajna chakra, Spiritual eye, Third eye and was said to be the major nerve in the human body, in ancient times.

What is most astonishing about bindis besides the limited amount of literature that exists on it, is the attitude of people towards it. The bindi, normally a vermilion mark, is adored by the young and old. This mark has a religious significance and is a visible sign of a person as belonging to the Hindu religion. The bindi is of many colours although normally it is vermilion. It also does not have any standard shape and form and is applied differently by members of different sects and sub-sects.

Tilaka means a mark. Sindhura which is also used to describe a Tilaka means red and Gandha which is also a term for Tilaka means pleasant odour. Hence, Tilaka normally connotes, a red mark with a pleasant odour. Some scholars see the red colour as a symbolism for blood. We are told that in ancient times, in Aryan society, a groom used to apply his blood on-his bride's forehead as a recognition of wedlock. The existing practice among Indian women of applying a round shaped red Tilaka called Bindiya or Kumkum could be a survival of this idea.

No one knows exactly when the tradition of putting a bindi started, but since centuries it is seen on the foreheads of Hindu men and women. The bindi worn by the women is made of different substances, whereas the one put on by the men is of sandalwood paste, which is known for its cooling property.

More then their cooling properties, bindis worn by women is also the reminder of their wedding vows, because a bindi is worn by Hindu married women to symbolize their marriage. Myth is that it protects them from the bad eye of people. However, today the religious significance of the bindi is largely forgotten and it is worn as a fashion accessory.

In the market today we see bindis of different hues and shapes ranging from the simple to the most decorative. The price range depends on the texture, elaborate work and size. Bindis have become a fascination with many for their attractive features.

Answer 4

Bindis:

The bindi is arguably the most visually fascinating of all forms of body decoration. Hindus attach great importance to this ornamental mark on the forehead between the two eyebrows — a spot considered a major nerve point in human body since ancient times. Also loosely known as 'tika', 'pottu', 'sindoor', 'tilak', 'tilakam', and 'kumkum', a bindi is usually a small or a big eye-catching round mark made on the forehead as adornment.

Myths and Significance

The vermilion, traditionally used exclusively for bindis, is called 'sindura' or 'sindoor'. It means 'red', and represents Shakti (strength). It also symbolizes love — one on the beloved's forehead lights up her face and captivates the lover. As a good omen, 'sindoor' is placed in temples or during celebrations along with turmeric (yellow) that stands for intellect especially in temples dedicated to Shakti, Lakshmi and Vishnu.

Answer 5

Hmmm...From my personal experience i should disagree that bindi means:
1. married
2. Hindu
Nowadays women wear bindis just for decoration. there are many varieties available, of all colours and shapes.
Previous guys should mix "bindi" (colorful dot) with sindoor mark on the forehead and hair parting, that is really a symbol of marriage and hindu religion.These two are not ther same and can be weared separately.
http://kritiiyer.com/Kriti/KritiPics/Kriti-withBindi.JPG little baby wearing "bindi". Obviesly she is not married:)))
http://www.indianstylz.org/files/images/sindoor%202.jpg Lady with both "bindi" and "sindoor" (red stripe on hair parting)
http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch618/India/sindoor.jpg Marriage ceremony. Bridegroom applies "sindoor" on bride's head, as a symbol of marriage.

Answer 6

a bindi is what hindu women wear on the center of their forehead. They believe that if they wear it then they will be protected from evil

sometimes it's worn for decoration

Answer 7

Bindi is the mark of culture.
Women wear bindi to say she is married.

Answer 8

It began as a image that denoted a married lady. similar to the way western subculture women folk positioned on engagement and wedding ceremony rings to coach their status. yet replaced into deeper that it additionally asked for wisdom and protection interior the marriage. It has grown, and is now additionally worn by utilising single women folk and girls as a "prayer" for non secular blessing.

Answer 9

im pretty sure its the small dot that Asian women wear on their forehead believed to protect themselves and their husbands.

Answer 10

its the dot sticker thingy the married woman wear to show they are married. the dude probably told his wife to do that so that if he died other men would still go for her cos they'd think she is single